2014 / 2015 Barclays Premier League

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Player Profile

The rise to fame of Adam Lallana came about quickly as he joined Liverpool in June 2014, with the midfielder one of English football's great success stories.

Having begun his footballing journey at Bournemouth, Lallana moved 30 miles down the south coast to Southampton in 2000 to continue his development and made his first-team debut at the age of 18 just six years later. Showing great technical ability from an early age, he was loaned back to Bournemouth for a four-month spell, but returned to St Mary's to make his mark on the side and became a mainstay in midfield from the 2008-09 season.

That campaign saw the Saints relegated from the Championship as Lallana scored one goal in 40 appearances, but he made it his personal mission to get them back in the big time and 20 goals the following season only narrowly saw them miss the playoffs, though Saints did claim the Football League Trophy. The next few years saw the midfielder shine brightly as he hauled the club back up with successive promotions to the top flight; on the opening day of the 2012-13 Premier League season, Lallana was given the captain's armband as his side lost 3-2 to Man City.

Impressing all who watched him with his skills on the ball that season, Lallana signed a new contract with Southampton in April 2013 and was handed his first England call-up that November. Named on the shortlist for the PFA Player of the Year award, he made the PFA Team of the Year, travelled to Brazil in an ultimately doomed effort for England at the World Cup and returned home to join Liverpool -- going from League One player to 25 million pound signing in the space of just three years.

Strengths: Comfortable with the ball at both feet, he has the versatility to play anywhere in the midfield and a great eye for a pass. His vision and creativity mark him out as well as a wonderful technique that sets him apart from his peers.

Weaknesses: Has only a season of really top level performances under his belt and can drift out of games sometimes if things are not going his way.

Career high: A call-up to the England squad for the 2014 World Cup came on the back of a fine season for Southampton in the Premier League and he was named in the 2013-14 Team of the Year.

Career low: His first full season at Southampton culminated in the club's relegation from the Championship in 2008-09.

Quotes: "What is apparent about Adam is that his character is on a par with his talent. He is an exceptional young man and someone who has a love for the game -- and, most importantly, a desire to progress and improve." Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers in June 2014.

Trivia: Lallana is one of only eight England internationals in the Premier League era whose first initial is the same as the last letter of their surname: Nigel Winterburn, Ugo Ehiogu, Nigel Martyn, Ray Parlour, Robbie Fowler, Theo Walcott and Shaun Wright-Phillips.